TID to consider experimental rate for electric vehicle owners

On Tuesday, the Turlock Irrigation District Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on revisions to certain electric service rates, including the addition of a new rate schedule specifically for electric and plug-in vehicle owners.

The experimental schedule would apply to electric service customers who have a currently registered vehicle which is a plug-in battery electric vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle recharged via a recharging outlet at the customer’s premises.

According to TID, the schedule, if approved, would not be available to customers with a conventional, charge sustaining hybrid electric vehicle, where the battery is recharged solely from the vehicle’s on-board generator. Additionally, low speed electric vehicles and electrically powered motorcycles are not eligible for the new rate option.

Set to remain open for a period of three years, the new service would feature a single-phase alternating current provided at nominal voltages of 120 or 120/240 volts. According to the District, three-phase alternating current service may be provided to a single family residence for space conditioning use at nominal voltages of 120/2240 or 120/208 volts at their discretion.

The rate would see an $11 dollar monthly customer charge, in addition to an energy charge of $0.08-$0.18 per kWh depending on the time of year, as summer billing months are slightly higher than winter.

If approved, customers must provide a satisfactory proof of vehicle existence upon request, such as a copy of a valid vehicle registration from the State of California. Additionally, the new service may be suspended, modified, restricted or closed by the General Manager during the experimental rate schedule.

On Tuesday, the Board of Directors are also expected to:

- Receive weekly electric, power, water and irrigation updates

- Consider declaring various Walnut Power Plant and Walnut Energy Center equipment no longer necessary for District purposes as surplus and authorizing the sale of the property

- Cancel the TID Meeting scheduled for April 22

-Approve the 2013 Consulting Engineer’s Report

-Review a presentation of TID’s Audited Financial Statements, in addition to a financial report

The TID Board of Directors will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday at the TID Main Office Building at 333 E. Canal Drive.